Saturday, March 16, 2019

It’s been one of those winters - there was always something else that had to be done.

So, I'm really very sorry, but it’s been a while since I posted anything.

Here we are, halfway through March, and it’s time to get ready for St. Patrick’s Day.

It’s time to make something a bit Irish.

Making corned beef and cabbage was not one of Ma's favourite things to do.

She would usually serve us Cottage Pie, and, somehow, each year it was always a bit different.

Here’s another one of her variations.

Cottage Pie is not the same as Shepherd’s Pie.

Both are made the same way – a ground meat filling that is topped with mashed potatoes, then baked until the top is nice and crusty.

The difference is that Shepherd’s Pie is made with lamb instead of beef.I've never found ground lamb in my local grocer's meat department.I don't think Ma ever found it, either.I don't know if I'll ever have Shepherd's Pie.No matter - Cottage Pie will always mean St. Patrick's Day to me.

Make sure the filling is reduced down so that you don’t end up with a watery filling.

Since no steam will escape, the meat sauce will not thicken while it is baking. So be sure to allow the sauce to simmer long enough, and to cool completely.If you’re in a rush to cool the filling you can pop it into the fridge or freezer while you prepare the potatoes.

If the filling is not cooled, the mashed potatoes will sink down into the mixture.
Still edible, but not quite the effect we’re going for here.

Also don't skip drying the potatoes, otherwise the excess liquid will drip into the filling.

If you feel the need for cheese, you can add about a cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the mashed potatoes.

Don't prepare the potatoes too far before you need them for the recipe.
The mashed potatoes should be hot so that they’ll spread easily.

This recipe refrigerates and freezes well. Just don't bake it before storing it. Allow the potato topping to cool, then cover or wrap before refrigerating or freezing.

If frozen, thaw and bake as per recipe.

Cottage Pie

Serves 5 - 6

Meat Filling

Dice

1 onion3 carrots

1 rib celery

Heat in a large skillet over medium heat

2 Tablespoons oil

Crumble in

1 pound lean ground beef

Sauté 1 minute.

Add the diced vegetables.Continue to sauté until the meat is no longer pink and the onion begins to brown, about 5 minutes.

Stir in

2 Tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 Tablespoons dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon pepper1/2 teaspoon salt

1 Tablespoon tomato paste

2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 Cups beef broth

Combine well. Lower heat and simmer mixture for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until almost all of the liquid has been absorbed.

Spoon the mixture into an 8 inch square pan or a deep 9 inch pie pan.

Allow the filling to cool.

Potato Topping

After the filling has cooled a bit, peel and dice

2 pounds potatoes

Place potatoes in a medium saucepan, cover with water and place over high heat. Allow to come to a boil. Boil for 15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.

Drain then return to pot on turned off stove. Shake briefly and allow to steam dry for about 30 seconds.

Mash potatoes until smooth, then add
2 Tablespoons butter
1 Cup milk

Whip until fluffy.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat oven to 400º F

Spread the hot whipped potatoes over the beef filling, using a fork to rough up the surface.

Sprinkle over the potatoes

a few dabs of butter

2 Tablespoons fine bread crumbs

a dash of nutmeg (optional)

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is nicely browned.

Remove from oven and sprinkle over top

2 Tablespoons dried parsley

Let stand for 5 minutes.

Serve with peas, or, if you’ve invited company, you can get fancy by serving it with glazed roasted carrots and sautéed garlic spinach.

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Welcome to I'm Turning 60...!

While I was born in Malta, raised in NY and lived in BC, Winnipeg is home.
I've co-hosted an award winning radio show.
I've been published in newspapers and literary anthologies and my plays have been produced.